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During a “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” press event attended by Looper, Lupita Nyong’o was asked to speak about how Nakia handles the passing of T’Challa. The Oscar winner candidly opened up about her character, and how she was initially frustrated with how Nakia’s grief was displayed on page. “I remember in the beginning reading the script and being so envious of Letitia [Wright] because she gets to be chaotic,” Nyong’o told a Looper reporter who was in attendance for the Los Angeles-based event. Details are ultimately slim on “Wakanda Forever” but marketing has all but confirmed that Wright’s Shuri will be at the heart of the sequel.
Despite continuing on as a supporting player in the Marvel film, Nyong’o hoped that Nakia would reflect the same emotions she felt over Boseman’s passing. “And that’s how I felt. I felt raw and wanted to express it,” she said. “Nakia, though, she is an example of someone who is further along in terms of her processing [grief.] And it’s not like she has it all figured out.” Audiences grew attached to Nakia, a member of Wakanda’s intelligence service who believed that the country should help those around the world. She also served as T’Challa’s lover, a figure who grounded the resident Black Panther during his early days as the King of Wakanda.
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The film ended with the two finally coming together, paving the way for a more concrete romance. Unfortunately, Nakia and T’Challa’s love was cut short. Remnants of their love still persisted, which helped inform Nyong’o on how to tackle her grief-stricken character.
